November 2019

The mission of Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, is to foster and inspire community service and volunteerism to address critical needs in the State of Maine.

Notice of Regular Business Meeting

Friday, November 1, 2019  

Maine Govt East Campus, 19 Elkins Lane Rm 110, Augusta, ME 04333
All business meetings are open to the public. The parking lot faces the Eastside Wellness Center and Harlow Building. Use Arsenal Street to enter the campus.

This link shows the location of the building on the campus.

Map for Driving Directions

Agenda
Time Topic Leader
10:00 Public Comment Period Branham
10:10 Swearing in New and Returning Commissioners Deadimus Justice
10:15 Call to Order Branham
10:17 Welcome, Announcements, Agenda Adjustments
1. Introductions
2. Quiz Answer
3. Announcements and Appreciations
     -- Review of Oct 11 and Oct 15 including award ceremony
     -- Recent Commission resignations
     -- Mentors for New Commissioners
     -- Other
4. Additions, Deletions, Changes to Agenda
5. Motion to approve the agenda		 Branham
Consent Agenda
10:30

A. Minutes
Moved that the minutes of the Commission meeting on September 26, 2019 be approved.
B. Executive Committee
Moved that the report of the Executive Committee meeting for October 22 be accepted.
C. Communications Task Force
Moved the report of the Communications Task Force meeting on October 16, 2019 be accepted.

 Branham
Business Reports
(Reports submitted are posted.)
10:35 A. Grant Selection and Performance
1. Report from 11/1/2019 meeting
2. Other		 Barrett
10:40 B. Communications 
1. Report on planning meeting		 Tilton-Flood
10:45 C. National Public Policy issues
1. Report from ASC committee 
2. Other		 Crofton
10:50 D. MCCS Staff
1. Status of Volunteer Generation Activities
2. Report on meeting with OIT regarding Basecamp replacement options
3. OIG audit update
4. Other		   
Ashmore
Crofton
11:05 F. CNCS Update Ostberg
Planning and Future Initiatives
 11:10 A. Review of retreat action items
1. Revisions proposed to strategic plan work for 2020
2. Parking lot quick answer items (see doc in Reports/ Background tab)		 Branham
Crofton
 
Focus on Mission Responsibilities 
11:30 A. Grant Administration and Oversight
1. Requirements of process for grant selection; Commissioner involvement.
2. Monitoring of grantee performance: system and reporting
3. Commissioner connections to grant processes		 Crofton/McFaul and Grant Task Force members
Business Wrap Up
12:00 pm A. Reminder: Complete meeting evaluation forms
B. Next meeting (December, 2019 -- Rm 110, MCCS Offices) 
C. Adjourn 		 Branham
Reports & Drafts

Meeting Schedules

View Calendar Notices Here

To facilitate board communication and assure compliance with the requirements for public notice, all MCCS meetings and work sessions will be posted on this site's Calendar as well as the State of Maine Legislative Calendar.

Task Force chairs are asked to check the dates/times/locations for their groups and notify staff of any changes.

As MCCS adds new staff and commissioners, we hope this central posting will help us all avoid "double booking" and, at the same time, make communication with partners smoother.

Minutes

1. Business meeting minutes: September

2. Executive Committee meeting: October

3. Grant Selection and Performance:  at meeting

4. Communications:  October  

5. Maine Service Fellows:  no report

6. Financial Oversight: meeting after 11/1

   

MCCS Team Report:

Grant Programs Officer:  Current

Program Development and Training Officer: July-August, September, Current

Communications Officer: Current report is in Communications Task Force

Background

2020 Commission Support Grant:  Budget,  Narrative
2019 Board retreat, Items to Follow up
2019 Proposed updates/revisions to Strategic Plan work plan 

State of Maine requirements for review of proposals by panels:  Chapter 110 rules;  Instructions for reviewers  
Commission grantee monitoring system EXAMPLE

Volunteer Generation Fund briefing - what Maine's grant is accomplishing

Commission policies: Ethics,    Conflict of Interest
  Acknowledgement Form - All Commissioners are asked to review the policies above and then sign the acknowledgement form which should be submitted to Maryalice at the November 1 meeting. 

25th Anniversary pictures and videos can be found HERE

"Heartbeat of Home" album clips and purchase is HERE

Commish's Quiz

Commissioner Quiz

More than a contest, this is part of the "in-service education" for Commission board members.

Commission Members should email their response before 5 pm Thursday, October 31, 2019!

Send your answers to Service.Commission@maine.gov. All correct answers will be well rewarded at the meeting.

This Month's Challenge

America's Service Commissions (ASC) is unique among national trade associations because the Board of Directors must be comprised of both state service commission staff and appointed commissioners.

ASC held its annual meeting in September and elected new members to the board. 

QUESTION: How many Commission members serve on the ASC board? Of the Commissioners, who lives closest to Maine?

Reference link: https://www.statecommissions.org/board-of-directors

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IF YOU ARE NEW,

ASC is a membership-based organization located in Washington, DC representing the 52 state service commissions. In addition to providing a wide-range of services to state service commissions, it also provide membership opportunities to AmeriCorps State programs and individuals. 

America’s Service Commissions represents state service commissions and its programs by:

Providing one unified national voice for service on critical issues Educating members of Congress and state legislators on the value of national service and volunteer programs Facilitating training and technical assistance for state service commissions and their programs Coordinating peer-to-peer learning opportunities for the national service and volunteer field